While Northwest Vietnam has always been popular for its terrace fields, although unknown to many, it is also prominent for its four giant fields: Muong Thanh in Dien Bien Province; Muong Lo in Yen Bai; Muong Than in Lai Chau; and Muong Tac in Son La.

Of these, Muong Thanh is the biggest with an area of 140 square kilometers. It is situated at a height of over 400 meters above sea level. It stretches to more than 20 kilometers and has an average width of six kilometers.

Muong Thanh stretches along the Nam Rom River with a breathtaking view all throughout, the two complementing each other perfectly with the field's lush trees and the river's still and pure waters. The Muong Thanh Bridge runs across Nam Ron River, a romantic yet wholesome sight for both residents and tourists riding on bicycles, motorcycles, and just about anyone looking for a quiet, peaceful time.

Most importantly, because of its agreeable farming conditions, Muong Thanh is the rice basin of Dien Bien. It has a 5-10 degree temperature during the day, uncomfortable for humans but conducive for the plant species. Late September is the best time to visit the province wherein the rice is at its full ripening period and the Dien Bien is said to be blanketed in yellow. The cool weather and mild heat from the sun is also a perfect time for tourists to travel to and enjoy the place.

Naturally, many of Dien Bien's local specialties are dishes made from rice, such as sticky rice, upland rice, an cake, jus to name a few. But the province also serves other delectable meals like bamboo shoot soup, boiled cabbage, stream fish, among others.

Dien Bien used to be almost impassable because of several natural barriers such as winding steeps and rugged high mountain passes. Thus, tourism was also slow, if not non-existent. But today, because of the construction of the Hanoi – Dien Bien route, the roads are much easier to cross, making Northwestern Vietnam a more interesting and exciting region to explore and learn about.